From 2020 to 2050, industrial use will make up more than 75% of natural gas demand growth as prices remain low versus historical levels over the next 30 years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

As economic growth figures to drive U.S. industrial output, the industrial sector is expected to grow annual natural gas consumption by 3.6 Tcf, or 35%, from 2020 to 2050, the agency said in a research note published Tuesday. That would account for over 75% of the total 4.6 Tcf increase in domestic natural gas consumption forecast for the 2020 to 2050 timeframe.

The bulk chemical industry is expected to account for 45% of the increase in industrial consumption during the projection period, increasing by 1.6 Tcf through 2050.

Under the reference case in...